Sambalpur, June 29: Lawyers of the Sambalpur Bar Association today resorted to blocking goods vehicles at various points in this town demanding establishment of a high court bench in western Odisha.

The lawyers gathered at Ainthapali Chhak, Remed Chhak and Sindurpankh Chhak and stopped hundreds of merchandise-laden vehicles for hours. Other vehicles, however, were not stopped.

The five-hour economic blockade started at 9am. The lawyers had forced state and central government offices, courts, banks and other financial institutions to remain closed on June 27 and 28.

“We resorted to the economic blockade today following the decision of the central action committee of bar associations in western Odisha. We will continue to carry out the economic blockade on the last working day of every month,” said secretary of Sambalpur Bar Association S.S. Sahu.